FantasticLand

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the novel’s interview-style format affect your reading experience? Did it enhance or hinder your understanding of the characters and events?

2. Which character’s account resonated with you the most, and why? Did your feelings about any character change as the novel progressed?

3. How did FantasticLand impact you emotionally? Were there any moments that were particularly unsettling or thought-provoking?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. FantasticLand examines how employees formed tribes for survival, leading to escalating violence. Have you ever felt pressured to conform to a group mentality, even when it conflicted with your values? How did you handle it?

2. The novel explores how isolation and disaster can change people. Have you ever experienced a situation where extreme stress altered how you saw yourself or others? How did your perspective shift over time?

3. Social media withdrawal played a significant role in the events at FantasticLand—many characters struggled without their phones. Have you ever felt uneasy or disconnected when unable to access social media? How do you think constant connectivity shapes modern behavior?

4. Many characters narrate events in ways that justify their actions. Have you ever seen or been part of a situation where multiple people had completely different interpretations of the same event? How do you determine whose version of a story is the most truthful?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In FantasticLand, disaster leads to extreme tribalism and violence. Are there historical or real-world examples where societal breakdown resulted in similar behavior? How do these comparisons shape your understanding of the novel’s themes?

2. How does the novel critique modern social media culture, particularly in its portrayal of how isolation and boredom impact behavior? Do you think the characters’ descent into violence is exaggerated, or does it reflect real-world trends in digital dependency and social validation?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel features several group leaders, like Brock Hockney, Clara Ann Clark, and Riley. Discuss the differences between their leadership approaches and strategies. How does this exploration of leadership through these characters deepen the thematic meanings of the novel?

2. Many characters justify their actions based on survival, fear, or leadership failures. Did you find any of their reasons valid? Were there any moments where a character’s choices surprised or unsettled you?

3. Consider the Warthogs’ role in the novel. Though their existence is never completely confirmed, they play an important role in the narrative’s action. Why did Bockoven add the Warthogs to his cast of characters? How do they contribute to the plot and themes of the novel?

4. Discuss the novel’s exploration of the fragility of civilization, tracing its gradual disintegration over the course of the story. Consider any points in the narrative where the breakdown of order might have been prevented.

5. The Exclamation Point, Paul the Puddle, and the Warthogs all serve as unsettling symbols throughout the novel. Which of these—or any other symbol—stood out to you the most, and how did it shape your understanding of FantasticLand’s themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If FantasticLand were adapted into a film or TV series, how would you envision its storytelling style? Would you keep the interview format, or would you prefer a more traditional narrative?

2. Create a playlist that captures the tone and themes of FantasticLand. Which songs would you include to reflect its eerie atmosphere and violence?

3. Design a new theme park attraction inspired by the events of FantasticLand. What would it look like, and how would it reflect the novel’s themes?

4. If you could rewrite the ending of FantasticLand, how would you change the fate of the park or its survivors? Would you offer a more hopeful resolution or lean further into its horror elements?

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